Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Average Cost

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What are Temporomandibular Joint Disorders?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in cats is where the temporal and mandible bones of the jaw meet to form the hinged part of the jaw. Disorders of the TMJ may range in severity. There are no breed, sex, or age predispositions for most TMJ disorders. Jaw locking that occurs as a result of congenital defect is more commonly diagnosed in brachycephalic breeds such as the Himalayan and Persian.

Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Cats

TMJ disorders may be very painful for your cat and can affect their eating habits significantly. Seek immediate veterinary attention as soon as you notice any of the following symptoms:

Inability to close or open the mouth

Part of the jaw shifting to the side

Signs of muscle atrophy and other facial deformities

Loss of appetite/unwillingness to eat or drink

Weight loss

Dehydration

Drooling

Pawing at the face

Excessive meowing

Types

There are several types of TMJ disorders in cats, including, but not limited to:

Luxation or subluxation: This occurs when the joint becomes fully or partially dislocated.

Open-mouth jaw locking: Jaw locking is typically caused by luxation or subluxation. Episodes of jaw locking may be random, and will typically occur more frequently if left untreated. Jaw locking can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.

TMJ ankylosis: This disorder will render the cat unable to fully or partially open its mouth. Ankylosis is most commonly caused by trauma, infection, or disease.

Masticatory muscle myositis: This is an inflammatory condition that affects the muscles the cat uses to chew food. Masticatory muscle myositis will cause those muscles to swell, creating difficulty in opening the mouth.

Ear inflammation: In severe cases of ear inflammation – particularly those in which the ear canal is perforated – the disorder may affect the TMJ.

Tympanic bulla neoplasia: Cancer of the middle ear is a very rare condition in most species, but can cause inflammation of the TMJ. Cats with this type of cancer may have a history of chronic ear infection.

Causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Cats

The causes of TMJ disorders in cats depend on which type of disorder a cat is suffering from. Causes may include:

Accidental trauma

Congenital defect

Cancer

Infection

Secondary disease

The causes of some conditions of the TMJ – notably masticatory muscle myositis – are not fully understood.

Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Cats

Your vet will first perform a thorough physical examination. You should let your vet know how long your cat has been experiencing any symptoms. X-rays are generally required in order to make a definitive diagnosis. CT scans may also be beneficial for diagnosing certain types of TMJ disorders. If cancer is suspected, cytology or biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Additional diagnostic testing may be recommended based on the suspected underlying cause.

Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Cats

Treatment will vary depending on the severity and type of TMJ disorder your cat is suffering from. Your vet will be able to advise you on a treatment plan based on your cat’s specific needs.

Conservative treatment can cure certain TMJ diseases, including luxation/subluxation, ear inflammation, and masticatory muscle myositis. Luxation/subluxation may be resolved quickly by manually manipulating the jaw back into place. Ear inflammation may be treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or antihistamines.

Prednisone medications are typically prescribed in cats suffering from masticatory muscle myositis. Treatment may last from two months to eight months. Cancer of the middle ear may also be treated conservatively with several lymphotoxic drugs.

For cases of acute jaw locking, your cat may be anesthetized while your vet manually shifts the jaw back into place. However, there is a chance the locking can recur in the future whenever the cat opens its mouth wide. If your cat suffers from frequent jaw locking episodes, surgical removal of part of the zygomatic arch is generally the treatment of choice. Cancer of the inner ear may also be treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy depending on owner and veterinary preferences.

Surgical correction may be required for ankylosis, recurrent luxation/subluxation of the TMJ, and severe cases of chronic ear infection.

Recovery of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Cats

Recovery and prognosis may vary depending on the severity and underlying cause of TMJ disorders. Your vet will provide you with comprehensive aftercare instructions following treatment.

If your cat has had surgery, ensure they have a warm, safe place to rest on the return home. Do not allow them to irritate the surgery site. If their jaw injury was the result of trauma, you may want to limit their outdoor activity.

Your vet may schedule follow-up appointments as needed to monitor the condition. Due to the nature of TMJ disorders, the likelihood of recurrence is generally high. If the condition recurs, contact your vet immediately.

My 8 month old looks like it has a slight dislocation of the lower jaw on her left side. I Is there any possible chance it could heal on its own or is there a possibility I can fix it? She only shows signs of pain when she opens it more than half way. I've even gyrated her jaw a little gently and she doesn't react. It really seems like only a couple millimeters dislocated. I only ask cause I don't make money and have no other way to help her. It's ripping me apart cause I inadvertently caused this and I love absolutely love animals. Please help!

3 weeks, 1 day ago

Blossom's Owner

Dr. Michele King, DVM

468Recommendations

Thank you for your email. If Blossom's jaw has been dislocated in any way, it will not heal on it's own, and there isn't a home remedy for that. Many clinics offer a 'free first exam' that you may be able to to use and get a veterinarian's opinion on the extent of the damage and what might be done about it. I hope that she is okay.

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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Luna

domestic short hair

5 Months

Moderate condition

0 found helpful

Moderate condition

Has Symptoms

grinding teeth

Can't eat dry food

Sleepy

I just got my kitten back from the vet (she is 5 months). I noticed her grinding her teeth so loudly, it sounded like she was chewing on seashells. So originally the vet found nothing, and the grinding got worse, violent sounding, so I brought her back. He saw her jaw was out, but she was popping it in and out periodically. He said he could wire her jaw shut and give her a feeding tube, but since she's so young he wants to see if it goes away first. I have absolutely no idea how this happened. We didn't do X-rays yet, I have her on pain meds, and I have an appointment Friday, but I'm worried since her jaw is popping in an out. Right now she's finally gotten it to where she can close her mouth but she did that early and it popped back out of place. She handling it like a trooper I'm just worried.Is letting a kittens jaw try to heal itself a proper way to heal a dislocated jaw? I know dislocations (at least in humans) if not treated properly can cause major damage... she's still eating wet food and playing when she can, but I'm a worried mama.

Thank you for your email. Without seeing her, I am not sure if the condition might heal itself, and I don't know how anyone would be able to say that for sure without an x-ray? It would be a good idea to have the x-ray to assess her joint health, see if there is a congenital problem that needs to be fixed, and get a better idea as to whether this will resolve without treatment. I hope that she does well.

1 month, 1 week ago

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Luna

domestic short hair

5 Months

Moderate condition

0 found helpful

Moderate condition

Has Symptoms

grinding teeth

Can't eat dry food

Sleepy

I just got my kitten back from the vet (she is 5 months). I noticed her grinding her teeth so loudly, it sounded like she was chewing on seashells. So originally the vet found nothing, and the grinding got worse, violent sounding, so I brought her back. He saw her jaw was out, but she was popping it in and out periodically. He said he could wire her jaw shut and give her a feeding tube, but since she's so young he wants to see if it goes away first. I have absolutely no idea how this happened. We didn't do X-rays yet, I have her on pain meds, and I have an appointment Friday, but I'm worried since her jaw is popping in an out. Right now she's finally gotten it to where she can close her mouth but she did that early and it popped back out of place. She handling it like a trooper I'm just worried.Is letting a kittens jaw try to heal itself a proper way to heal a dislocated jaw? I know dislocations (at least in humans) if not treated properly can cause major damage... she's still eating wet food and playing when she can, but I'm a worried mama.

Thank you for your email. It would be a good idea to get the x-ray taken, to assess her jaw and how it fits together, see whether there is a problem that needs to be fixed or if she has a shallow joint, and see what type of treatment she can get.

1 month, 1 week ago

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Croe

mixed

5 Years

Moderate condition

0 found helpful

Moderate condition

Has Symptoms

Jaw out of place

Drooling

Inability to eat or drink

Pawing at face

My cat came Thursday afternoon drooling, jaw seemingly dislocated, and had a few scratches marks on her face. We took her to the vet yesterday after noon and the x-rays revealed that her jaw was not dislocated or fractured. After googling around TMJ sounds very much like what is wrong with her, but we are also thinking that she somehow has inflicted this upon herself by scratching and hurting her inner ear and the pain is causing her to hold her jaw strangely. She can still move it and has attempted to eat, but it causes her pain so she hasn't been able to eat or drink by herself.

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Croe's Owner

Dr. Callum Turner, DVM

1955Recommendations

There are numerous temporomandibular joint disorders which may include luxation, fracture, ankylosis or other issues; identification of the specific disorder is important to effectively direct treatment. Disorders like myositis do not affect the temporomandibular joint directly but prevent opening or closing of the jaw due to inflammation. Without examining Croe, I cannot say which course of treatment would be best. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

4 months, 2 weeks ago

I saw this on another forum, glad Croe is okay. I'm going through a very similar situation with my Luna

1 month, 1 week ago

Chelsea

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Buffy

dsh

? 3-8

Serious condition

0 found helpful

Serious condition

Has Symptoms

Can't open mouth

Inability to open mouth

Our cat cannot open her mouth. The vet says that D/T wt loss caused by inability to eat enough & a URI, no diagnostics/treatment available. Euthanasia only option. Any advice? Believed to be TMJ ankylosis ?

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Buffy's Owner

Dr. Callum Turner, DVM

1955Recommendations

There are various causes for an inability to open the mouth including temporomandibular joint disorders (dislocation, ankylosis etc…), masticatory myositis, foreign objects (causing a reluctance to open the jaw), infections or neurological problems. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive physical examination in order to determine the underlying cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM